NATO To Assist Taliban Recruitment

It would seem that  NATO has learned nothing,and are now proposing a “strategy” to alienate the Afghan population at an even higher rate than they have managed to date.

This widened mandate ,…. would authorize NATO troops “to attack directly drug producers and facilities throughout Afghanistan.”

According to  Canada’s top general, Chief of Defense Staff Walter Natynczyk,that would be a good thing…

“Most times that we have operations, our soldiers, sailors and airmen have found drugs right there with the Taliban, so the nexus between drugs and terror is very, very strong,” Natynczyk was quoted as saying.

Good one General,but you neglected to mention that many Afghans have no other options or means by which to support their families other than poppy production.Furthermore when 33-50% of the Afghan economy is directly tied to and dependent on the drug trade,of course you are going to find the shit ever where.

So your solution is to target even more Afghans other than just Taliban fighters.The only likely outcome of  that  will be even more dead civilians,interesting thought process,defeat the Taliban by alienating even more Afghans.

Not all Afghan drug dealers support the Taliban, but by declaring war on them collectively NATO will only guarantee that, if only for self-preservation, the traffickers will be forced to throw in their lot with the insurgents.

NATO has come full circle,first they helped to create the problem in the first place…

The Afghan drug trade has exploded since the U.S. toppled the Taliban in 2001, and this black market is estimated to represent somewhere between 33 and 50 per cent of the Afghan economy.

Now they propose to “fix” it.

But  their initial  intentions were good so who can really blame them. After all one can not make an omelet without cracking a few eggs heads.

The people of Afghanistan,well they will “understand”.

Read more

Afghanistan end game

Get the hell out and leave an “acceptable dictator” in charge.

A French newspaper has published what appears to be a diplomatic cable saying Britain’s ambassador to Kabul thinks the West is losing the battle for Afghanistan…

It says Cowper-Coles believes the West’s war against Taliban forces in Afghanistan is being lost and the coalition that includes Canada’s Armed Forces should leave an “acceptable dictator” in charge of the country within five to 10 years.

Because it’s never been about the people of Afghanistan nor democracy for that matter.Its about the U.S and her geopolitical aspirations.

Canada and Europe are in the fight for one reason,American approval & appeasement,i.e sorry we did not help in Iraq.

“We have no alternative to supporting the United States in Afghanistan, but we should tell them that we want to be part of a winning strategy, not a losing one,” the cable paraphrases the ambassador as saying.

Now there’s something “worth” dying for,and not a mention of the Afghan people nor democracy.

Nor human rights for that matter,torture anyone.

Read more

Canadian Troops continue to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan

One dead Afghan or a couple at a time.

Indeed the hearts and minds campaign just gets “better “year after year.Apparently this year it’s up by about 40%.Not only are civilians being killed by foreign soldiers but also by foreign “intelligence” agencies,again with impunity.

Now to be fair Canadian troops are not gunning down civilians at will or because they get a kick out of it.

Although the Canadian military is taking criticism for it’s deafening silence,when it comes to accountability.

But all said,as these killings continue to increase,one point becomes clearer and clearer this mission war,will not be won militarily.Gee I believe we all heard similar assessments way back when,like since day one.

Time is definitly not on NATO’s or Canada’s side.

Which begs the question,when is enough enough ? When does reality over ride wishful thinking,no matter how well meaning that thinking might be ?

In other “news”…the anti-semetic,anti-Israeli NDP boogey man has made an appearance over at ‘Cherniak on Politics’.It’s a scary tale…it’s got it all,academic boycotts,Durban II…etc,etc so be forewarned.

Udate…Seems ‘Cherniak weak on fact checking’ has figured it out,bullshit is bullshit no matter how much one might wish  otherwise.

T-minus 25 days until the only poll that counts

After 7 bloody years,Canadians want to see some results

Recent polls show that the majority of Canadians belive the Afghan war is just too bloody and to expensive.

A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians believe the country is paying too high a price in blood and treasure for its involvement in Afghanistan…

To date 96 Canadian soldiers, one diplomat and two aid workers have died in Afghanistan. The Conservative government has set aside $1.9 billion for aid and reconstruction in the war-torn country…

Even more vexing is the inability of the Canadian government or NATO to point to some sign of progress.

what the poll tells him (General Lewis MacKenzie retired) is that people want to see something for the sacrifice…

The one thing the Canadian government seems unwilling or unable to provide/explain.Indeed many Canadians are still confused as to what exactly the goals are,never mind the strategy for getting there.

Again its been seven long years,yet here we are,still treading water & going nowhere.

Read more